MDARD's Pollyanne McKillop Receives "Friends of Animal Control" Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 18, 2014                                  CONTACT: Bridget Patrick (517) 284-5661                   or patrickb@michigan.gov 

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced Pollyanne McKillop received the 2014 Friends of Animal Control Award at the annual Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers (MAACO) meeting in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.   McKillop serves as MDARD’s Animal Shelter Regulatory Program Manager in the Animal Industry Division. Animal Control shelters house stray or lost animals, as well as animals surrendered to shelters by their owners, or animals involved in a municipal ordinance or state law violation.   “We thank Pollyanne for her dedication, support, and guidance to the animal control agencies throughout the state of Michigan,” said outgoing MAACO President Terry MacKillop.  “Pollyanne goes above and beyond, and MAACO members wanted to express their gratitude for her service.”   “As the Animal Shelter Program Manager Polly has done a great job partnering with Michigan’s animal shelters to improve the health of shelter animals,” said State Veterinarian James Averill.  “She guides facilities operated by Michigan municipalities on the proper care, rules and regulations behind impoundment of animals found in the streets, or at large.”   McKillop also oversees Michigan's Animal "Protection" shelters - those operated by a person, humane society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or any other nonprofit organization for the care of homeless animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, or any other non-rodent, non-livestock mammals).   Additionally, McKillop guides individual facilities in Michigan on facility requirements and the registration application process to legally operate animal control or animal protection shelters. She also helps people understand that foster home-based rescues are exempt and don’t need an Animal Shelter Registration, though they do need to comply with animal care codes, dog licensing and rabies vaccination laws, and their own local ordinances.  McKillop spends her days handling pet welfare questions, assisting registered shelters as issues arise, and helping Michigan cats and dogs find forever homes through proper adoption procedures.   For more information on licensed animal shelters in Michigan, please visit: www.michigan.gov/animalshelters

###  

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/MIDeptofAgriculture Follow us on Twitter: @MichDeptofAg Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: youtube.com/MIAgriculture